Gunned down: Officials quiet on what's being for safety after law enforcement deaths

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

After four recent killings of law-and-order officials, the National District Attorneys Association has reminded prosecutors across the country to "have a heightened awareness and keep doing what you do."

"Do your job," said Scott Burns, executive director of the association. "We can't back down from these people, and we have to show up in court."

Burns said the vast majority of elected district attorneys across the country are in small offices with four or fewer prosecutors.

Many offices do not have the resources to deal with high security threats or security details, he said.

"We tell them to do what they have been doing and are trained to do," Burns said. "Keep an eye on cases and defendants. If anything causes angst or concern for you or your family, call the police."

Since January, two Texas prosecutors and a Colorado prison official have been killed. Last week, a West Virginia sheriff was shot while eating lunch in his car near the courthouse.

Officials in Colorado and Texas are looking into whether the homicides in those states are tied to white supremacy gangs and possibly linked. Officials in West Virginia say the sheriff's death appears to be an isolated incident.

Safety officials in Texas declined to discuss what, if anything, they have done to ensure the safety of those who uphold the law. A spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety declined to discuss or release any "law enforcement sensitive bulletins or information we share directly with our law enforcement partners."

In Colorado, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Alison Morgan would not discuss security measures for corrections employees and declined to answer questions or allow an interview with interim Director Tony Carochi.

Lance Clem, spokesman for Colorado's Department of Public Safety, said he is not aware of any special advisories regarding increased safety measures for local or state law enforcement officers or judicial officials. Safety of officers, Clem said, "has always been instilled during training, and we are constantly reminded of officer safety."

It's common for departments to keep quiet about safety measures, but Burns said he knows additional precautions are being taken.

"Rest assured that there have been measures taken to provide security for the successors of all of those people who have been murdered," he said. "I suspect that the D.A.'s offices in major cities in Texas are also receiving additional protection."

The Texas killings came shortly after a multi-jurisdictional takedown of top members of the Aryan Brotherhood. Late last year, the gang warned law enforcement it would retaliate.

It remains unclear if the three deaths are linked to the gang, but to many the threat is real. Last week, a federal prosecutor in Texas withdrew from an Aryan Brotherhood racketeering case, citing safety concerns.

Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins told ABC News he believes Texas prosecutors are being targeted, and he fears for his safety. Watkins plans to propose new safety measures for his office and has 24-hour security available, according to an aide in his office.

Burns, the executive director for the National District Attorneys Association, pointed out to CNN that the killing of prosecutors is rare. A memorial honoring those killed on the job has 13 names from the last 100 years.

In comparison, an average of 143 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty each year during the past five years, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

So far in 2013, 29 officers have been killed, including Clements in Colorado and Mingo County Sheriff Walter "Eugene" Crum in West Virginia.

"Officers are facing more and more dangers every day," said memorial spokesman Steve Groeninger. "They have been asked to do more work and have more responsibilities in addition to policing our communities."